Movies in 2008

Everything I expected it to be and so much more. Once again, Nolan demonstrates how the Batman can function in a realistic society, while at the same time he delivers quality thrills. Heath Ledger masters the Joker in his final performance, giving the film some incredibly chilling moments. Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal are also welcome additions to the film, giving their roles a depth that's rare to find in any other Batman film (save Begins). This, the greatest comic-book movie of our time, is more than just a mere comic-book movie.

A brilliant follow-up to Casino Royale, and easily the most brutal 007 film since Licence to Kill. Daniel Craig perfects his take on James Bond as a flawed, vengeance-driven human being at the very core of a cold, ruthless killing machine. From a strictly male perspective, Olga Kurylenko is stunning as Bond girl Camille. Dominic Greene, played by Mathieu Amalric, is different from most Bond villains in that he does not require a specific unique trait or oddity to sicken audiences, but we get a strong sense of his evilness through his mannerisms (and Amalric does this extremely well). One might get the sense that the violence is too over-the-top, but director Marc Foster demonstrates a sense of realism and maturity as opposed to exploiting graphic imagery during such sequences. There are even some moments in the film that are pure artistry, such as the scene at the opera. Quantum of Solace once again proves that the Bond franchise is anything but dying, and that James Bond is still the only hope for the world in such desperate times.

Like the Blade, Spiderman, and X-Men franchises, Iron Man is a gem in the Marvel movie universe. Look out for the special post-credits sequence!

Unique, thrilling, and realistic enough to create an immersive atmosphere for the audience. J.J. Abrams' decision to combine The Blair Witch Project with Godzilla is an admirable feat, while Matt Reeves brings the destruction of New York City to life with excellent visuals.

A pitch-black comedy that delves into pure onscreen mayhem by the final blood-soaking act. Many of the jokes are tasteless, but so hillarious at the same time. Colin Farrel has the standout performance in this one; I never knew he could be so much fun to watch.

A unique concept for a comedy excecuted incredibly well. Tropic Thunder is always amusing and contains some hillarious performances by Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise. The fake trailers at the beginning of the film add to both the hillarity, as well as the uniqueness of it all. This is a must-see for 2008.

It's not exactly Match Point, but Woody Allen delivers the same quirky dialogue and interesting cast of characters that one should expect from a film of his.

Not the silly, ultra-violent Rambo movie I had expected to see. Certainly ultra-violent, but the film uses this to establish how terrible some people really are in other parts of the world like Burma. Though we see the horrors of war and genocide throughout the film, Rambo also teaches us that evil does not negotiate, and that sometimes war is the only way out. Had this been other than a Rambo film, I think people would take it more seriously; the only weak spot in the film being Julie Benz' role as a determined missionary with a knack for staying alive by chance alone. Otherwise, a solid film.

Not exactly the action-packed western I was expecting, but a very intriguing one that harkens back to older films of the genre. Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen and Jeremy Irons are great in their roles.

Occasionally confusing, but always entertaining. We see the title actors like George Clooney and Brad Pitt go all-out in their roles, and it makes us see a refreshing side of them that we rarely ever witness in any of their other films.

"Crystal Skull" takes Indiana Jones to a whole new level; the Cold War era. Often improbable, but always entertaining, like any Indiana Jones movie should be. Although the final bit seems to lose its magic, we must look at the big picture. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford, fitting nicely into the fedora once again) is back after a nineteen-year absence, and audiences should be very, very happy.

It's taking Hulk in the right direction, but it's still far from perfect. Decent visual effects and brutal fight choreography bring out the feral side of the title character, but weak, unmemorable roles bring it a step lower than Iron Man.

Not bad at all, but disappointing by Ridley Scott standards. Much like Syriana, the plot left me confused and itching for more clarity. On the plus side, there are some terrific shoot-out sequences and -- again, like Syriana -- an edge-of-your-seat torture sequence involving fingers.

You know it's going to be hillarious when Will Ferril and John C. Reilly are starring in it. Not only that, but the ridiculous poster pretty much tells you what you're in for. Step Brothers is a really funny, enjoyable film to watch... even if it is incredibly disgusting and vulgar in many scenes.